Double tracker mechanism.



T. DANQUARD. DOUBLE TRACKER MEGHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILE) MAY 29, 1908.

Patented @cnaf/31908.

THOMAS DI 'NQUi/iltl), OF lili-'W YORK, h'. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AUTOPINO CO., Ol" NEW YORK, X. Y,

lA CORlOltATlON OF NEW YORK..

"DOELE TBACKE E,` ME CHANISM.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Fat/exited Oct. 2'?, 190.8.

Application filed May 29, 19653. lSerial No. 435,708.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be iis-known that l, Tnonns Darrow-inn, a citizen oi the United States, residing` at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Double Tracker Mechanism, oi which the following is a specification. p

This invention relates to a.pneumatic musical instrument or player having a plurality of sets of tracker channels.

The principal objects of the invention are to. provide improvedL means for controlling two or more sets of tracker channels, especially so that both eighty-eight and sixty- 'ive note music sheets can he used on `the same instrument, for operating a double tracker whereby only one of the sets oi tracker channels will he exposed at the samey time; to provide means for concealing the operatingl mechanism and all sets of tracker channels except one; and to provide simple means -for operating the channel closing' means from pneumatics in such a way that .l

they are held away from the trackers in a .substantially positive manner when the linstrument is not in use, and are held yieldingly against the inoperative tracker' when the othei' one is in use. These results are accomplished hy means of improved con'- structions which also constitute parts of this invention,

Further objects and advantages' of the invention will appear hereinafter.

,Beieren ce is to loe had to the acconrnianyineJ drawings which show certain forms .in which the invention may he carried out, and in which,

Figure 1 is a iront view ci' part of a tracker box and connected parts constructed in accordance with this invention'. Fig. Z is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the center ci' Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vi ew similar to Fig. 2 showing another lori-n in which the invention may he carried outf Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a hand-operated construction coming` under this invention, and Fig. G is a fragmentary elevation of a portion thereof.

The invention will iirst he described with special reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in which is shown a tracker box 10v having the usual music sheet spools 11. llt is shown as provided With an oscillating' shaft 12 carrying a pair of end blocks 13 on which are supported a pair oli' .trackers 14. These trackers are independently and reniovahly 'mounted on the end blocks, as lor example hy means cl screws 15, so that each one can he taken oil and repaired, cleaned or renewed without disturbing the other. The shalt 12 may he operated in any convenient manwr lor example hy means of an arm 1G extendingv therefrom, a link 17 and a hand lover 15% connected with the link.

Mounted in the tracker hon', preterm hh' on sup orts 20, is a cover or shieldr Z1 which cr.- tenfs inwardly from hoth sides to the c ol' the tracker which hap'iens to he in o tiveposition and covers tno remaindm' of the tracker mechanism. lt may he considered as having` a slot 22 therein which. exposes substantially the entire lace ol one trai-hor, the other tracker always heini;` concealed behind the shield. In order that the parts may operate conveniently in this way, the trackers may it desired he made ol segmental shape.

Two sets of' tracker channels L5 and. 2G are shown connected with conduits 27 and 25.4, respectively. lt will he understood that in accordance with the principal function of this invention, there will he 58 tracker channels and conduits in one series and (l5 in the other, but these numbers may vary required. All the conduits oi the smaller set connect with a serios oi primary pneuina tics 29. A corresponding` -numhcr ol' the other set connect with the same primary 'pneumatics and the excess ones with additional primary pneu'inatics oi a similar character, (not shown).y The conduits 27 and 28 prei;- erahly are made iicxihle so as to permit of the necessary motion of the tracker.

ln order to close the set of conduits which is turned to inoperative position, a pair of caps 30. and 31 are shown.. These caps are mounted on sheet metal plates 32. lt has been found in practice that a leather cap sometimes sticks to the tracker, which is ordinarily ot' metal, if pressed against it, and that it discolors it badly. lt is desirable therefore to remove the caps when the instru- -ment is not in use and to keep them out of the way of the returning tracker so that there will he no danger of the tracker engaging the end ,of the cap and straining the platosv 32. Accordingly means is rovided whereby lthe caps 3.0 and 31 are rept ositively hack againstA the shield out oi :tie path ci the trackerwhen not in use.l in the form shown vwhen they lift from the iii the 'first three figures, this is accomplished l saine time, the other one being held out.

by the following mechanism. On the shalt l2 is placed :i disk or cam 35 having one oi: incre notches 36 therein. Adjacent to these are mounted a pair of pawls 37 mounted on rock shafts 3S. The shiil'ts 38 support the caps 3() and 31, through the plates 32 which are liked to them and turn therewith. Consequently, when the disk is turned so that one oll thepawls can enter the notch therein,

the eorrespoinling shaft 38 can be turned to cause its cup to press against the tracker. At the same time the other pawl is held out -to cause thev cap 3() to press against its These pawls are operated in the saine manner as those which have been described and the bar 45 is connected with the operating link 17 by an arm 60, so as 'to move with the trackers. As illustrated, the trackers are in their uppermost ositioiiand the upper pawl is allowed to sini into its notch, when the pneuinatics 41 and 42 feel the suction, so as tracker while the lower pawl is held. back. In that-case the cap 3l is prevented from moving in toward the tracker.

l'roni the .'-euter ol the disk oi' cam and its cap therelore is prevented from moving into the empty space under it.

these springs to pull the pawls into contact l with the disks, and one of the caps on its' tracker, when the instrument is started. For this purpose the pawls are provided with links 40 which in this form of the invention are connected with pneumatics 41 and 42, which are connected with the wind inducing devices (not shown) by a passage 43,01' in any other convenient manner. For operating the rods 4() springs 44 are shown secured to the movable leaves of the pneuiiiatics and cxtendiiig beyond the ends thereof, so as to hold the pawls 37 against the disk 35 and one of thc caps against the tracker, with a yielding pressure whenthe instrument is being operated.

It will be seen that when the instrument -is idle and the two pneumatics are expanded,

both caps held away from the tracker by meansof light springs 39 opposed by the springs 44. In oi'der to positively holdthem in this position blocks 440 are mounted on the movable leaves of the neumatics, and arranged to bear on the springs 44 when the pneuinatics are expanded. These springs 44 press with a certain tension against the blocks 440 when the pneumatics are expanded, but as they collapse the springs follow the blocks only so fai' the iawls will allow, lilocks .vhile the neuinatics collapse entirely. This provides tor holding the caps yieldiiigly on the trackers by means of springs 44. But only one cap can move inwardly the other one being he d out bl the contact ol its pawl with the disk 35. '.t will be observed, of course that the disk or cain 35 oscillates with the trackers in this forni of the invention as it is mounted on thc shaft 12. In the Aform shown in Fig. 4, a reciprocating bar 45 is subVJ stituted for the disk 35 and it is provided with a pair oi notches 46 so located that only one ofthe pawls 47 can venter its notch at the In Figs. 2 and 3 the 1 cap 5() is thus held back while the rap 3] is.

y51 must always be pushed down before the In Figs. 5 and 6 the )awls are shown as being operated by hand instead of by pneus matic means. In this case a sliding bar 5U which may be moved up and down by a handle 51 carries two flat springs 52 which overbalaiice two light spiral s )rings 53 conneeted with the pawls 54. I heii the bar is pushed upward the two pawls are released and when down the caps are pressed on the tracker. In this case a cam or disk `55 is employed similar to the disk 35, and the handle J0 handle 18 is moved to shift the tracker. Then after the trackers are set, the handle 51 must be pushed up again.

While I have illustrated and described certain forms in which the invention may be embodied, I ain aware that many modifications may be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the particular forms of the invention shown, but

That I do claim is i 1. In a tracker mechanism, the combination of a plurality of swinging blocks with aV plurality of tracker bars each removably mounted on said blocks.

2. I n a tracker mechanism, the coinbination of two swinging end blocks with two trackers supported at their ends on the end blocks and each independently removable therefrom, and means for turning the end blocks to move the trackers into and out of operative position.

3. In a tracker mechanism, the combina- 11.3l

Amary pneumatics with which said conduits communicate, and movable caps adapted to 12o be turned against the trackers to close the conduits.

4.` -A tracker mechanism comprising af movable tracker having air channels, a capl adapt-.d to close the channels, a spring for A normally holding said cap away from the tracker, and means connected with the action for moving the cap against the tracker when the tracker is in position adjacent thereto. 5. A tracker mechanism comprising inovable. tracker, a stationary shield pro'ecting over said tracker, a cap, means for yieldingly holding said ca the tracker an means whereby said cap will be turned against the face of the tracker.

6. A swinging 4tracker havingV 'a curved front surface and two sets of tracker channels and provided vwith a stationary shield adapted tov cover. a art of said surface and having an opening t erein 'of suiicient width to expose only one .of the sets of-tracker channels atatime.

7. The combination with a movable tracker having a lurality of sets of tracker channels, of a s ield-having anl opening therein of sufficient width to expose only one of said sets of channels at a time.

8. The comb'nation with a movable tracker having two sets of trackerchannels, of a shield having an opening therein of suflici'ent width to expose only one of said sets of channels at a time, and means for closing the other set of jchannels.

`9. The. combination withl a movable tracker havinga lurality of sets of tracker' cient width to exposeonly one of said sets of channels at a time, and yielding means adapted to be operated by air suction in said channels for closing either yset of channels when located inside said shield.

11. rlhe combination with a movable tracker having two sets oftracker channels, of a shield having an opening therein of sufficient width to expose only one of said sets of channels at a time yielding means for'closing either set of channels when located inside said shield, and means for preventing the yielding means from operating when the tracker is moved away from said yielding means.

12. The combination with a movable tracker having a lurality of sets of tracker channels, of a s ield havin an opening therein to expose said sets ofc annels', yielding moans for closing either set of channels when located inside said shield, and means for preventing the yielding means from operating when the tracker is moved awa from it, said means comprising a movab e part having a notch therein, levers having proagainst the shield away from jections adapted lto enter 'said notch, and means for operating said levers.y

13.- The combination with a movable tracker having two sets of tracker-channels, of ashield having an o ening therein to expose one of said sets o channels,-means for closing eitherfset of, channels when located inside said shield, and means for reventing saidmeans from operating when t e tracker is moved away from it, comprising a movable part havinga notch therein, levers havin projections adapted toenter said notch, an pneumatics for operating said levers.

14. In a tracker mechanism, the combination of a doubleA movable tracker, means for moving it to operative and inoperative position, a pair of caps for closing the ino erative part of the tracker, and means for olding one of said caps away from the path of the tracker. 1 15. The combination with a, tracker havin two sets of channels, of means for closing cit er sat of channels, a partadapted to move with the' tracker and having a notch therein, levers having projections adapted to enter said notch and connected with said closin means.

16. n a musical instrument, the combination with movable trackers, of caps for closing the channels thereof, yielding means for operatin said caps, and pneumatics for operatin t e yielding means.y y 17 n a musical instrument, the combination with movable trackers,`of caps for closing the channels thereof, yielding me( as for mg. the yielding means', and means connected operating said caps, pneumatics for operatwith each pneumatic for positively controlling the yi ding means while the pneumatic is expanded and adapted to lose control thereof when the pneumatic is under suction'.

18.. In a tracker operating device, the combination of a pneumatic,=a block on the movable leaf thereof having a projection, a

spring connected with the movable leaf and ada ted to be engaged by the end of the bloc when the neumatic is expanded, and4 to be free thereo when the pneumatic is collapsed', and a rod connected with said spring controlling the ca of the tracker bar.

Intestimon `w ereof I have hereunto set my hand, in t e presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS DANQUARD. [L. s.] Witnesses;

C. L. JENKINS, [L. s] E. M. BAoKus, Jr. [L. s.] 

